Only Cub Cadets - M-18 Kohler

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Merk (Post 47775)

Let's keep in mind 1811woody wants the best bang for the buck.

The first that needs done is diassemble the motor to see what needs done. Odds are the pistons are going to show some wear and/or marks. The area by to the exhaust valve on the piston will have some burnt/melting of the piston. The governor gear (if it is a plastic one) should be replace when the motor is apart. I would replace the crank seals while the motor is apart too. The connectig rods are must replace when you rebuild a motor. The crank journal(s) need measured to make sure they are in spec.

Get a Kohler manual if you have a manual. A copy can be downloaded from the OCC's technical section or from Kohler. The manual will show you the correct way to measure cylinder wall and crank journals. You should use a micrometer, bore gage or both to measure the cylinder wall and crank journals. If you don't have access to the gages take the cylinders a good automotive machine shop and let them measure them. Odds are the cylinder(s) will be close to or out of spec. I have the automotive machine shop do the machine work. In the long run you will better off letting them do the work. I have been a machinist for more than 30 years and rebuilding small motors close to 40 years. I let the automotive machine shop do the machine work. The shop I use has a cylinder boring machine.

Most motors will not last very long very long until it starts to smoke and use oil again by just honing the cylinder(s) and a set of rings from e-pay. E-bay is the last place I would buy rings from. I've heard stories of buyers getting the wrong part(s) and having a hard time getting the right parts from seller.

It is your choice.....The way I do a motor cost more-it will last longer and make more power. I had someone who want just a hone and new rings. Less than 2 years later the motor had to be rebuild again. This time it was done right.

are you saying you do rebuilds if so what is the chargeor if you don't what did you spend on your rebuild:Price:

My Son and I do rebuilds. He was a certified Kohler tech until he went back to school.

Price depends on what needs done. Labor charge can range from $100 to $200 depending on the motor and what needs done. Machine shop charge can range from $100 to $250. I use Kohler gaskets and connecting rod. I've been using Stens piston since they are cheaper. Kohler gaskets cost $3 to $5 more....I can get them faster than Stens gasket kit.

Last motor I did for myself cost me around $375. The crank had to be undersize .010 , new valves and guides and new valve springs. This was a K321 single cylinder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1811woody (Post 47760)

Thank you for the reply. How many hours did you have at the time when you reringed? Mine has aprox 1600 and I'm a little worried about the governer whether its pinned or not i read on here that its a real issue whats your thoughts

My M18 did not have that many hours on it. I believe that the motor got hot an ruined the rings. I found a mouse nest in the blower housing and that caused the engine to overheat.
Do you plan and splitting the engine block? That is the only way to check on the governor. If you split the block use a very light coat of RTV on reassembly.
:American Flag 1:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1811woody (Post 48176)

From what I've read from other members yes and they also need to be pinned at rebuild which they are not from the factory I would also like more details on this! What kind of hours can one expect to get out of a factory m18 with moderate use before the governer flys apart:bigthink:

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